The Hieroglyphic Monad (1564 Antwerp)

MAXIMILIAN.

Nor do I wish these things, in any way, in this place, or at these times—especially given your aforementioned Wisdom—to be considered trivial side-works Parerga: Secondary tasks or minor artistic works that are peripheral to the main subject.; indeed, they are not even superfluous. But enough on this. Therefore, I most humbly offer this offspring of my HIEROGLYPHIC MONAD (conceived indeed in London, but born in Antwerp) to Your Most Serene Majesty: earnestly beseeching you that you might not disdain to become its Godfather Compater: Literally "co-father." Dee uses this to ask the Emperor to act as a spiritual sponsor or patron for the book, much like a godparent at a baptism. now; and later, when it is more mature in age and more commendable for its reliability, that it may always serve you in your presence. From now on, O most Clement KING, I wish it to be considered yours. For, just as you seemed to appear before my eyes with a most charming expression during the whole time of its labor, so, for that reason, you made the work of bringing this into the light easy and swift for me.
As appears in our Propædeumatic Aphorisms, printed in London, in the year 1558, from Aphorism 52.

For that which I carried in my mind for seven continuous years prior, I have very peacefully brought forth into this common air in the space of only twelve days, drawn by your incredible magnetic virtue Dee refers to the "magnetic" attraction or spiritual pull exerted by the Emperor’s character, which he claims allowed him to finish the manuscript in less than two weeks. across such a great distance. May that Sacrosanct TRINITY—which (founded in the Omnipotence of the Ineffable MONAD, before all ages) lives and reigns eternal—grant that this may be happy and auspicious both for your August Highness and for my most ardent studies of sincerest truth. To whom alone let all praise, honor, power, and glory be forever offered and sung by every creature. AMEN.